Quailed

The past tense of 'quail,' meaning to feel or show fear or apprehension, often in response to an intimidating situation or overwhelming emotion. To quail typically implies a sense of shrinking back or cowering due to fear. It can describe a physical reaction or an emotional response to perceived danger or threat.

Quailed meaning with examples

• When the thunderstorm raged outside, she quailed in fear, clutching her blanket tightly. Memories of childhood storms flooded her mind, reminding her of how she had always sought refuge under her bed, dreading the frightening sounds.
• As the teacher's glare fell upon him, he quailed at the prospect of being called on to answer a question he had not prepared for. The combination of embarrassment and anxiety washed over him, and he felt his heart race unexpectedly.
• During the horror movie, the audience quailed at the tense moments leading up to the scare. Each character’s shadow seemed to harbor hidden dangers, amplifying their collective apprehension as they braced for the inevitable frights lurking in the dark.
• When the courtroom filled with harsh accusations, the defendant quailed at the thought of the possible consequences. Sweaty palms and a racing pulse confirmed his fears: freedom was slipping away, and the reality of the situation pressed down heavily upon him.
• As she stood on the brink of making a life-changing decision, her heart quailed with doubt and uncertainty. The weight of potential consequences loomed large, causing her to reconsider whether she was truly ready to take the leap into the unknown.